𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔

𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 💪🏾

The night was thick with silence, broken only by the distant sounds of horses shifting and the crackling of the fire. I lay on the furs in Achilles' tent, restless and aching for home. With everyone asleep, the pull of freedom was intoxicating. I quietly slipped out of my makeshift bed, my heart racing at the thought of escaping back to Troy. I crept through the shadows, every step careful and deliberate. The camp felt vast and foreign, and the darkness was my ally. But as I approached the edge of the camp, the low murmur of voices reached my ears. My stomach knotted with anxiety. I hesitated, glancing back at the tent where Achilles slept, a flicker of uncertainty brushing against my resolve. With one last look, I darted into the night, moving with determination. The cool air whipped around me, a reminder of what I was leaving behind. But just as I thought I might make it, strong hands grabbed my arms, pulling me back into the depths of the camp.

"Where do you think you're going, little dove?" The voice was grating, and the laughter that followed chilled me.

Ajax stood there, flanked by a couple of his companions, their faces twisted with mockery. His imposing figure loomed over us all, with muscles so defined they looked as though they'd been carved from marble. Dark skin glistened under the faint torchlight, highlighting every sinew and vein that crossed his arms and torso. His chest, broad and unyielding, seemed to strain against the worn leather straps of his armor. A mane of thick, twisted locks crowned his head, while his eyes burned with fierce intensity, a predator eyeing his prey. His jaw was sharp, covered in a thick beard that framed his sneer, and the lion brooch on his shoulder only added to the ferocity of his presence. He held his spear as if it were an extension of himself—solid, unwavering, deadly.

I struggled against their grip, fear flooding my veins. "Let me go!" I demanded, my voice shaky but firm.

Ajax laughed again, a sound devoid of warmth. "And miss the chance to see the noblewoman squirm? I think not."

The other men joined in, their taunts sharpening the edges of my panic. I felt their eyes on me, judging, sizing me up like a prize to be won. My heart pounded in my chest, and I fought to keep my breathing steady. This was not how I envisioned my escape.

Suddenly, a figure loomed in the entrance of the tent. Achilles stepped forward, his presence commanding and fierce. The atmosphere shifted, tension coiling tightly around us as he assessed the scene.

"Let her go," he said, his voice low but powerful. The men hesitated, glancing at one another, but Ajax stepped forward defiantly.

"What's it to you, Achilles? She's just a prisoner. A piece of property."

Achilles took a step closer, his gaze never leaving Ajax. "She's not property. Let her go."

The other men shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Achilles' authority pressing down on them. With a reluctant grunt, Ajax released my arms, stepping back. I took a shaky breath, my heart racing as I stepped away from the group.

"Are you alright?" Achilles asked, his tone softer now, genuine concern flickering in his eyes.

"I was trying to escape," I confessed, feeling a mix of relief and lingering fear.

A hint of a smile ghosted across his lips. "And you thought the best time to do that was in the middle of the night?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks at his teasing. "What else was I supposed to do? Sit around waiting for you to rescue me?"

"Touché," he replied, crossing his arms as he regarded me with a mixture of amusement and admiration. "But you should know, escaping isn't as easy as it seems. It takes more than just bravery."

"Maybe I just want to go home," I said, my voice dropping. "To my family, to my life before this war. This isn't how I imagined my future."

He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence enveloping me. "You're stronger than you realize. You've faced more than most could handle."

For a moment, the air between us thickened, charged with an unspoken connection. I felt drawn to him, despite the danger. "And what about you? Aren't you tired of this war? Of the bloodshed?"

"Every warrior has a choice, Sabryna. We fight for what we believe in, but we also carry the weight of that choice." His voice softened, revealing a vulnerability I hadn't expected.

Before I could respond, he suddenly shifted, turning his attention back to the men who had tormented me. "You're lucky I didn't hear you earlier, Ajax. Next time, I won't be so forgiving."

The threat lingered in the air as Ajax and his companions backed away, exchanging wary glances before retreating. Achilles turned back to me, his expression shifting to one of protectiveness. Without warning, he stepped forward and swept me into his arms, lifting me effortlessly off the ground. "Come," he said, holding me securely against him. "I'll take you back to my tent. You shouldn't be out here alone."

My heart raced as I was carried through the camp, the world blurring past us. The warmth of his body felt like a shield against the cold night, and for a moment, I forgot about the chaos that surrounded us. I felt a mix of exhilaration and fear, drawn deeper into his world as I nestled against him.

"Why do you care?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Because despite everything, you remind me of what I fight for," he replied, his gaze locked onto mine. "And I don't intend to let anything happen to you."

I swallowed hard, trying to decipher the layers behind his words. In this moment, surrounded by the chaos of war, I felt an undeniable bond forming between us, one that threatened to pull me deeper into a world I was desperate to escape.

As we reached the tent, Achilles carefully set me down, but the intensity of his gaze lingered. "Stay close," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle. "I won't let anyone harm you again."

I nodded, my heart pounding as I stepped into the safety of the tent, knowing that despite the danger, I was exactly where I didn't want to be—and yet, a part of me couldn't help but crave his presence.